It’s surprising how The Expendables 2 turned out as, after expecting a highly charged action overload, it’s really a poignant drama with the new cast members sitting down with the originals and enjoying cups of tea in a period piece involving the discussion of politics and philosophy… Just kidding! It has action film of the year written all over it from the beginning.
After a rescue mission in Napal, the Expendables are called in by Mr. Church (Bruce Willis) to “repay the favour” for stealing money from him and his employers in the first film. He sends the team, lead by Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone), to pick up a nuclear bunker blueprint for him, but they get intercepted by Jean Vilain (Jean-Claude Van Damme, Universal Soldier) and his mercenary group, who kills one of their own. Now the soldiers-for-hire are out for revenge, and pick up allies, and both new and old recruits, along the way to stop Vilain’s plan to sell nuclear material.
Since all of the Expendables team returns and deliver what’s expected from them, it’s up to the new recruits to keep up… which they do. Liam Hemsworth (The Hunger Games) is likable as Billy “The Kid”; the fresh new young man from Afghanistan who adheres to the chain of command (referring to Ross as “sir!”, when most of the other members would tell him to piss off); Yu Nan (Speed Racer) added a lot more to the film than a female team member as Maggie, and both Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis have their cameos from the first film developed into full, worthwhile, roles. Chuck Norris (Walker: Texas Ranger) is also enjoyable, even though he doesn’t do much as the ‘lone wolf’ Booker, and worth being in the film for the Chuck Norris joke alone.
Best of all is the addition of Van Damme as the main villain; the original lacked a proper antagonist who could go toe-to-toe with any of the Expendables, but Van Damme is made public enemy No. 1 within 4 minutes of being on screen; we’re given a reason to hate this man when he kills off one of our beloved Expendables, and of course, being Van Damme, he’s an awesome and charismatic villain (who should do more villain roles), and we know he’s tough enough to take on any of the heroes here.
Direction is better than in The Expendables, production values are higher, and while digital blood effects are still present, they’re better and less noticeable than they were in the original, but there are far too many CGI action scenes here (and it’s abundantly clear which ones are CG and which aren’t); sure some of the actors can’t be as physical as they used to be, but showing a digital Ross and Gunnar (Dolph Lundgren) close-up is distracting,and a slap in the face to audiences who came to see a proper old-school homage action film.
Still, The Expendables blueprint finally reaches its true potential with The Expendables 2, and it’s both surprising and welcoming to see poignant moments adding great emotional value to an otherwise brainless film; the funeral scene being particularly good, and making you think about everything the team must have seen over the years, and adding to the drama remarkably; creating a wonderful balance.
It was a good move for Stallone to take a back seat from the director’s role, especially since they managed to get Simon West (the man responsible for The Mechanic, and Con Air; one of the greatest action films of the ’90s) to direct this sequel. The action is well shot and clear (despite the CGI over use, it’s a fine antidote to the fluster-vision films like The Bourne Legacy try to shove down our throats), and West fully embraces the sheer lunacy of all these action heroes, and gets them to mix together so well; making sure no single star is presented above another.
Everyone has a memorable moment or line and while the original team relive their highlights from the first film, the new cast members all have their own (even if the trailers have spoilt most of the good ones), and there are so many duelling lines, and references to the cast’s famous action film roles, that it’s on the verge of a meltdown from how insanely fan pleasing it is. Add the usual banter and camaraderie, and it sews up the genre aspect brilliantly and enforces these bad ass, dripping-machismo, characters.
As with the first, the appeal of The Expendables 2 lies in seeing all these action superstars in one film; so if you’re not fond of action films, it won’t do anything new to change your mind, but it’s such an event film, it’s made entirely for action fans; where else are we going to see Stallone, Schwarzenegger, Willis, Van Damme, Norris, Lundgren, Statham, Jet Li, Terry Crews, Randy Couture, Yu and Hemsworth all in the same film? It’s just amazing to get all these fantastic action stars on screen in the same production and even more impressive to make all of them memorable in their roles as well.
It’s clear this ensemble formula has reached it’s potential, and will undoubtedly please audiences enough to make them hungry for a third outing (and if they are going ahead with a third instalment, someone needs to get Simon West onboard straight away). Even over looking the event aspect of gathering such a super cast, Expendables 2 is a beyond brilliant action outing; on the same level as Commando and Predator as one of the ultimate tier action films that everyone strives to create, but few achieve. It’s the most entertaining film released this year, after Avengers Assemble; and whilst not topping it, The Expendables 2 is highly worth your time and money; you will not be disappointed.
Terry Lewis – @thatterrylewis.
